Mrs. Phyllis Jean Nielsen
December 1, 1937 - January 19, 2023
Mrs. Phyllis Jean Warkentin was born December 1, 1937 to Phillip Bier Warkentin and Edna Lumberg. Just a few weeks later on Christmas Eve, Edna passed away from scarlet fever leaving Phillip and Phyllis alone. Edna was one of seven Lumberg sisters. Several of the remaining sisters gave care to Phyllis until Phillip married Merle Marguerite Blakesly, who then acted as a good mother to Phyllis her whole life.  She attended schools in Selma, California, graduating from Selma High School in 1955. From an early age Phyllis was a natural educator . As a young girl she played school in the yard of the family farm, teaching lessons to her brothers, toy dolls, or any other creatures who might stand
in as pupils. After high school, she attended Fresno State College and obtained her teaching certificate. Soon after, Phyllis began her 38 year career as a classroom teacher in Fresno Unified schools, ranging across several grades and school sites. She took a few years off to
raise her sons Eric and Scott, but soon returned to full-time teaching. At the end of her career she worked in Staff Development for Fresno Unified, and also supervised student teachers for Fresno State.  Phyllis' passion for education was not limited to public schools. She dedicated her life to
education in local Presbyterian churches in Fresno, Easton, and Fowler. She was always found to be either leading or teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Backyard Bible School. She oversaw nursery care, made sure children got to summer camps, oversaw mission
programs, and even went on several mission trips together with her husband, Donald Nielsen.  As a life-long learner, she was a regular attender of Bible Study groups, conferences, and retreats.  She fell in love with Don when she was a freshman in high school. She often told the story of
how a scrappy farm boy got on to the school bus and caught her eye and then captured her heart. They dated throughout high school and her early college years. She waited patiently while Don served his two-year active duty requirement in the Navy, but they married soon after
in August of 1959.  Over the years, she was a quiet but constant support and encouragement to Don and the boys.  While they were often the ones getting attention, Phyllis humbly served her family, her schools, and her church. This selfless strength was a model for all three of them. She listened and counseled, was a true life partner to Don, a never-ending guide to Eric and Scott, and the glue that held both her immediate and extended family together.  Phyllis' life verse was Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight."  Even though Phyllis was dedicated to learning, teaching, and understanding she experienced times of trauma that were unexplainable, including her diagnosis of Alzheimer's Dementia.  During such times she fell back on this verse, and her faith never wavered. When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's she exclaimed, "how can this be me?" But then continued to recite this verse. Even when she had a hard time recognizing her family or comprehending the world around her, she could still recite all or parts of her verse.  On January 19, 2023 Phyllis finally fell asleep for the final time after some challenging and debilitating years preceded by 80 years of joyful living.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Donald Nielsen. Her brother Roy Warkentin, her father and step-mother Phillip and Merle Warkentin, her birth mother Edna Lumberg, her granddaughter Teresa Moore, and other extended family. She is survived by her sons, Eric Nielsen and Scott Nielsen and their families, her brother Richard Warkentin and his family, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.